iPad Frenzy!

Please help us earn an iPad for our son, Malcolm, who was diagnosed with Autism 3 years ago. Just remember that Malcolm Dennis is the challenger, when you're placing an order!

The Puzzling Piece

^^^^^^ Click this link to ^^^^^^^

head over the Challenge product order page!

You Can't Yell When You Have A Mouth Full Of Jelly Beans!

4 days and still going! It's definitely been a challenge, but I feel so much better about my parenting! I've also discovered that it's almost impossible to yell with jelly beans in your mouth (thank you Easter bunny!) Until I get the hang of it, I may have to find a lower calorie way to 'distract' myself! LOL!


Some other Distractions I've discovered that work a LOT better than walking away or counting:

• Sticking my head in the freezer to 'cool off'.
• Grab a glass of water and "Swallow that Yell". A sip of cold water works wonders!
• Grab the camera. It makes a much better picture, and my boys are such cheeseheads, they stop WHATEVER they're doing to pose for a camera

Yeah, the urge to snap and yell is still there. A LOT. It's only been four days. But a deep breath, and a silent, "I can do this." helps me to remember, I'm not just doing this for me. I'm doing this for them. 

A New Challenge

First and foremost, let me wish you all a very Happy Easter! I haven't blogged in quite some time. I know, I know. Bad Blogger. Life has been kind of crazy. And when I say "kind of" I mean like "totally-completely- lock-us-up-in-a-white-padded-room-and-slap-on-the-straight-jacket-crazy".

We all know the challenges, frustrations and difficulties we parents face raising our little ones. Having a 5 year old with Autism and a 3 year old at home has proven to be not as picturesque and movie-bliss-like as we'd thought. Who's know that 75% of our time would be spent reversing inappropriate behaviors, reinforcing time-outs and losing arguments to the little people that have taken, by force, control of our house. (When did little people develop such strength and determination??)

So, we have found ourselves in an age old dilemma. "When did I become that parent that yells all the time?" I don't like it. Swore I would never become it. Have no idea when it started, or how it got so out of control. The one thing I DO know.. is that it's not working.

So, in my latest attempt to escape the chaos that is my house, I found myself on pinterest. Scrolling through the memes, the "I must have's" for the closet, the house and the garden, dream wedding ideas, and various projects to keep the little ones occupied during spring break, I happened upon a rather non-descript, simple little pin, of a child (or small adult) in a bathroom sink, reading a book with an orange rhino on the front. The caption was "[Tired of Yelling?] .... " I clicked it, and lo and behold, there was a link. Hmm.. I clicked it, and a bright orange website popped up. WOW. Can't miss that one! But at the top, there was a button. "417 days without yelling!" Hmmm...This might be worth clicking around for a few moments. Let's see....

Nothing spectacular. No "4 easy payments of just $19.99". No annual membership fee. Simple, easy ideas, to curb the yelling. Like Sticking your head in the freezer for a couple of minutes, until you 'cool down'. Pounding your chest like a gorilla to vent frustration. Silly, yup. But apparently, it's working. And it makes the kids laugh, which is a bonus, whether we realize it or not. Remember what they were doing that caused you to explode? Yeah... They're not doing that anymore, because they're too busy giggling at their frozen gorilla momma. Hey.. at this point, I'm willing to give up some self-respect, for peaceful quiet and harmony in my house.

So....

What wild and insane project has prompted me to pick up the pen and journal once more? (Okay, yeah, click my link to my blogger page, and pound on the keyboard for 10 minutes.) I've decided that this Orange Rhino Challenge was worth checking out... and definitely worth putting some effort into. So, here, and on my facebook page, I'll be documenting my progress... Wish me luck!

The Walking Dead Season 2 Finale!

***WARNING!!!***

If you have not yet seen this, or are still catching up on Season 2, there ARE some spoilers in this video!!! 

Watch only if you do NOT care about spoilers!!!!

Little Rose Dialogues 03-23-12

Just a few of my thoughts about lack of etiquette on airplanes, during debates and amongst some home-based business fanatics.

How to create Victory Rolls!

Whether you want a new everyday look, or you're looking to WOW them at that Retro Party next Saturday night... THIS is how you do it!

Dramatic Rockabilly Makeup

Want that dramatic Rockabilly look for Saturday night? Watch and learn!!!

Mary Kay Ultimate Miracle Set Facial Tutorial!

For all of you who have been wondering HOW it works, How to do it, or in which order the products were used... This is for you!

Pinup Hairstyle Previews

Licorice Induced Musings...

Seeing as it's 4 o'clock in the morning, it would more than likely be frowned upon, if I had some Smirnoff induced musings... or would those just be drunken ramblings? I don't know. What I -DO- know is this... Red Vines Rock at ANY hour. But I digress....

So a lot has happened since my post. A LOT. So much, in fact, that for a time, I actually forgot ABOUT my blog, entirely! It wasn't until I was cleaning up my favorite's list, that I saw the link and thought, "Omg, I should start blogging again! How crazy is that, right?"

As I said, a LOT has been going on. Up's and down's. Well, without getting into TOO much. Malcolm is doing amazing. He's talking. A lot. But only when it suits him. Or the mood hits... Usually when he wants more of something. Usually Milk. And cookies. Of course, Jace is following suit. Hey, it works for big brother, right??? But every little bit of progress, is just that. Progress. So, I'll take it.

That's not to say I won't expect a little more later on. But I take what he's willing to give, when he's willing to give it. It's a forward movement. It's not backwards. (Which we were doing a lot of, when he was medicated.) And it's not standing still. :)

We're making plans to move. Out of state. To Texas, actually. Can I put into words just how excited this makes me? Probably not. Because I'm pretty ****in' excited! (Yes, -I- edited that for all of you! ;P ) I just hope San Antonio can handle this Diva, because I have HUGE plans. To pretty much take over the city, and make it MINE. LOL! No one ever said my day dreams and goals were PRACTICAL. I just said they were big and fantastic.

The one thing I'm not really looking forward to though, is the loud, screaming, blatant, in-your-face absence of my Gram. While we'd been making our plans, and day dreaming of our new life in Texas, never once, did I include the scenario that she wouldn't be included. Did I honestly think she'd live to be 235 years old? Maybe. Probably. Okay. Yes. Yes I did. She didn't quite make it. She DID, however, make it to 90. Which is pretty amazing, in and of itself. She was definitely a fighter.And I REALLY REALLY miss her. 

On the other hand, I think she'd be REALLY excited, and downright giddy, and my new obsession with retro/rockabilly. Especially hair and makeup. Like I wasn't already obsessed with these two things, but I'm loving this whole new Rockabilly Diva thing!! LOL. Yes. It's the little things. I take them when I can. Because a lot of the time, I'm so caught up in the small, isolating world of "Autism Parenting", that I often shelve those things that make me smile. So. When I -DO- bring those things down, and dust them off, they bring me immense amounts of joy. Playing with hair products and make up, just happen to be near the top of my list of 'Happy Pleasures'.... Sue me. No wait. Don't. I have enough people trying to get money from me already. ;P

And of course, seeing as it's 4:30 in the morning now... and I'm carrying quite a nice Red Vines buzz, and sleep is probably not going to return any time soon, I will plug in my curling iron, and get to work on some new self proclaimed amazing new 'dos. (Yes, self proclaimed. I honestly don't give a flyin' fig if anyone else likes them. I do.) And yes... I'll post pictures when I'm done with my own little private makeover session. ;))

Until then..... Don't be a drag..... Just be a queen! (Another new obsession = Lady Gaga! ZOMG!)